Other editions of book Kalpana's Dream

Neema's great grandmother, Kalpana, is coming to visit. She's been dreaming of flying again, and now she's ready to leave her village in India. Neema and her friend, Kate, have just started at Wentworth High. For English they have pale Ms Dallimore; everyone calls her the Bride of Dracula. Ms Dallimore wants her students to think, and imagine - and learn to fly! At first, Neema is awkward with Kalpana. Kalpana doesn't speak English and Neema doesn't speak Hindi. But when they meet the flying boy, they both remember something they had lost long ago.Judith Clarke writes with tenderness and humour in this story of coming together and finding the essence of who you are. Clarke's quiet wisdom and keen understanding will touch hearts and stimulate imagination'Wolf on the Fold - Publishers Weekly US

All she thought of was the boy with the skateboard ... Sheep and shepherds, little new lambs ... Why? Neema and her best friend, Kate, are freshmen at Wentworth High. In English class they have the notorious Ms. "Bride of Dracula" Dallimore for a teacher. "Learn to fly!" she urges her students. But what are they supposed to write for their essay, "Who Am I?" At home, Neema's great-grandmother, Kalpana, has come for an extended visit all the way to Australia from India. At night she dreams of flying; during the day she cooks Indian food and watches the same Indian video again and again. It should be great having her there, but Neema doesn't speak Hindi, Kalpana doesn't speak English, and Neema's mother can't always be there to translate. Meanwhile, Gull Oliver, the good-looking new boy at school, seems familiar to Neema. At night he flies past her house on his skateboard. Both Neema and Kalpana watch him, drawn to him for different reasons. This rich story weaves realism and fantasy into an unusual portrayal of coming together and finding the essence of who you are.